Thai Embassy Laos - Shocking Behaviour

Went to Laos Tuesday to renew the visa. Tuesday was fine, got there at 11.25 thanks to the unreliable bus service from Udon, but still a bit busy but no problems.

Come Wednesday 1pm for visa collection and I saw a glimpse of civilisation collapsing.

Normally when I have gone there, there has been an ordelry queue to go through the gate. This time was different.
I got there about 12.35 with maybe 15 people in front of me in a queue. I go to the back (being a brit, it's what we do).

Others on arriving just bunched up near the gate, ready for the opening.

When the gates opened you would think everyone was trying to get off a sinking ship, it was rediculous, a total free for all!
Out of all the people I saw, it was 3 French guys that caught the eye, mainly because one of them that barged in front of me decided to swing his back pack on to his back, smacking me in the face in the process. He simply didn't give a toss when I highlighted this to him

Once inside the Embassy compound, everyone made there way to the building on the left ready to collect. One or two individuals (brits) thought they need to go to the right to get a ticket (they did not need to do this). So off they went. When they returned to the other building another queue jumping opportunity arose, so it's exactly what they did.
Much to my surprise, the French guys who piled in infront of me earlier then complained to these others for doing exactly what they did just 3 or 4 minutes earlier!!!! How it did not come to blows I am not sure but the behaviour of both groups was just disgusting, having no regard for anyone else. Lots of swearing and shouting from both groups, sadly there were also plenty of young children and women in the queue well within hearing distance. I was ashamed to be British and pray for the day when I am in a position to get Thai citizenship (along way off for now )

I hope the staff at the consulate saw what was happening and take steps to prevent it happening again. To me, it was appalling. Partly brought on by the lack of organisation, maybe partly due to the heat going to a few heads but in the main those individuals who think they are the most important person there and are greater need of their returned passport than anyone else

At the best of times me and the TW do not enjoy going to Laos for the visa run and this experience is going to do nothing to make the next time any more enjoyable

Anyone who was invloved in the barging, pushing, swearing yesterday (Wednesday 19th Jan) and are reading this, you should hang your head in shame, take a look around you and see there are other people on this world - You may consider yourself important but you are no more or less important than anyone else that was there for the same reason - rant over!!!

That is one of the reasons many people use the 'touts' who are hanging around outside.
It is worth a few baht for them to provide all the queuing up while you just wait at your hotel.
They also usually return your passport earlier than queuing personally could possibly achieve.
In general I am not in favour of this type of service but sometimes convenience outweighs the pressures of my concious..

BobHelm wrote:That is one of the reasons many people use the 'touts' who are hanging around outside.
It is worth a few baht for them to provide all the queuing up while you just wait at your hotel.
They also usually return your passport earlier than queuing personally could possibly achieve.
In general I am not in favour of this type of service but sometimes convenience outweighs the pressures of my concious..

Any idea how much the touts charge?

Somewhere between 1K & 3K for the next day 'service' I understand. Fair bit more if you are after a same day service.
Depends on how busy they have been & how good your negotiation skills are...

BobHelm wrote:Somewhere between 1K & 3K for the next day 'service' I understand. Fair bit more if you are after a same day service.
Depends on how busy they have been & how good your negotiation skills are...

cheers,quite a bit more then soon adds up,thats a lot of beer laos

BobHelm wrote:Somewhere between 1K & 3K for the next day 'service' I understand. Fair bit more if you are after a same day service.
Depends on how busy they have been & how good your negotiation skills are...

Bob i did not think that you could get your passport back the same day. Please confirm because it may be handy for me sometimes if you can.

Officially it is impossible & certainly impossible for a Falang to do on his own by attending the Embassy themselves.
However a word with 1 of the touts outside & I understand it can be done.
I have never done myself as I understand the cost far outweighs how much it costs me to stay in Vientiane for a night.
I have heard figures of between 6K & 10K quoted, but, as I said do not have first hand experience.

Dont forget to take a pict of the tout on ur phone, in case he doesnt return ! or better still ask him for his ID card as a replacement !

wazza wrote:Dont forget to take a pict of the tout on ur phone, in case he doesnt return ! or better still ask him for his ID card as a replacement !

Excellent Advice!!!!